A congratulatory ceremony was held last Thursday afternoon at the Central Administration Building to honour participants of Svitzer’s local recruiting programme.
Ezra King, 24, Javier D. Smith, 21, and Bharrat Persaud Jr., 21, each received a certificate presented by Premier Dr. Orlando Smith.
The fourth recipient, Keyroy Frank, did not attend.
Svitzer, a global maritime company that provides emergency assistance to vessels, opened an office here last year.
Albert Snoie, the head of Svitzer’s local office, said he’s pleased with the company’s progress.
The local office is now up and running, he explained, and it is at the point of employing Virgin Islanders.
“I am very excited that these young men are more or less at the point that I started at 30 years ago,” he said.
Captain Raman Bala, the acting director of the Virgin Islands Shipping Registry, said the four participants have been trained in first aid and safety, and they are now qualified to serve as junior deckhands.
“This is a very momentous occasion for these young people,” he added.
Mr. Smith, who hopes to have a long career in the maritime industry, said he was excited to receive his certificate because he believes it will help him reach his goals.
“I’m trying to accomplish my captain’s licence,” he explained.
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